Thanks for anyone who replies. Hopefully this helps others too.

  • Don_Dickle@lemmy.worldOP
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    7 days ago

    He just wants to do it slow. And the current goal is walk around the block. He has been lifting 3lbs and 500 reps per arm to try to get his breathing controlled. For some reason he got into holding his breath when he lifts like beer cases or kegs. He has no idea why he started it but says it’s very hard to quit. Currently he is walking back and forth on his back porch to start small. He would like to be able to walk or at the minimum fast walk 2 miles in three months.

    • Tollana1234567@lemmy.today
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      7 days ago

      if he ways like hundreds of lbs and never exercised before it will happen like that, they also shouldnt be doing that intense of exercise if they weight that much. probably see a doc, and then a personal trainer who deals really large people.

    • bitteroldcoot@piefed.social
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      7 days ago

      That kind of low lung capacity does not need an amateur answer. It needs a professional evaluation by a doctor and rehabilitation with a physical therapist.

      Other wise he is going to end up in the emergency room… if he is lucky.

      • Don_Dickle@lemmy.worldOP
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        7 days ago

        Not getting in a pissing match. Even if he weighs 375lbs and wants to get down to his weight in his 30’s at 275?

        • bitteroldcoot@piefed.social
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          7 days ago

          I would say yes. He needs medical help.

          I was in a similar position excess weight and breathing issues. But I could still do a mile of walking.

          The human body can only take so much stress then it breaks. Especially if you are over 45. What you are describing sounds like a seriously and potentially lethal problem.

          • Don_Dickle@lemmy.worldOP
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            7 days ago

            Does it matter that he goes to the local library to do yoga to help him? He likes it because it pisses him off that these older people are doing it so easily and he can’t and makes him try harder. I was told if you do intervals of in through the nose out through the mouth 3 times normal breathing and I guess you could call it reps of breathing he does it till he gets to 30.

            • Bane_Killgrind@lemmy.dbzer0.com
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              7 days ago

              NO

              the problems he’s having are not normal, he’s not just “doing it wrong” if he’s doing what you are describing

              He needs to get checked out

    • dingus@lemmy.world
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      7 days ago

      I don’t think this is a thing that can be solved with breathing exercises. His heart and lungs are struggling to keep up with his excess weight. Weight lifting doesn’t really help with cardiac fitness. It’s good that he wants to strength train, but it’s unlikely to help his breathing.

      He needs several things:

      1. Dieting will help decrease the strain on his heart and lungs as his body mass decreased
      2. He needs to specifically train cardio. Not running, obviously, but more walks. But you don’t want him to overexert himself. Instead of taking long walks, he needs to work on walking for short periods more often and not forgetting to take breaks.
      3. Being checked out by a doc is really important in case he has a heart issue like congestive heart failure from the stress he has put on his body.

      I am very glad he is trying to better himself and wish him the best of luck.